Synonym Chooser

How does the verb contaminate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of contaminate are defile, pollute, and taint. While all these words mean "to make impure or unclean," contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source.

water contaminated by industrial wastes

When can defile be used instead of contaminate?

Although the words defile and contaminate have much in common, defile implies befouling of what could or should have been kept clean and pure or held sacred and commonly suggests violation or desecration.

defile a hero's memory with slanderous innuendo

When is pollute a more appropriate choice than contaminate?

The synonyms pollute and contaminate are sometimes interchangeable, but pollute, sometimes interchangeable with contaminate, distinctively may imply that the process which begins with contamination is complete and that what was pure or clean has been made foul, poisoned, or filthy.

the polluted waters of the river

When is it sensible to use taint instead of contaminate?

The words taint and contaminate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination.

tainted meat
a politician's tainted reputation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contaminate In 2013, at least 23 children were killed by a free school lunch contaminated with concentrated pesticide. Peter Guo, NBC news, 2 May 2025 Former federal disaster response specialists and national environmental groups warn that DOGE job cuts may hamper the response to a major oil spill off Louisiana's Gulf Coast this week, a leak that is fast contaminating marshlands and threatening vital wildlife habitats and fisheries. Dan Ruetenik, CBS News, 2 May 2025 Beautiful but badly contaminated solid brick buildings were torn down with the promise of remediation and redevelopment that never materialized. The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2025 Other research shows that red No. 40 and yellow No. 5 and No. 6 contain or may be contaminated with known carcinogens. Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contaminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contaminate
Verb
  • The intent, the critics have said, is in fact to stifle findings about the noxious content that is increasingly polluting social media and political discourse.
    Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • Leaks from this antiquated sewer system are polluting Rock Creek and threaten the public health of all those who come in contact with it.
    Dan Gooding Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • And two, baking soda is an indiscriminate weed killer that poisons the soil.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 May 2025
  • Years later, the toxic chemicals have poisoned Hong-rang’s body.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contaminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contaminate. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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